The Land of Mystery eBook

Such was the astounding truth, and it was easily explained.
Ziffak on his way up the Xingu with his new friends
had warned the Aryks that they must do the whites
no harm: they were on their way at that time to
the Murhapa village as friends, and the head chieftain
told his allies that any further hostility would be
visited with the punishment of death.

The Aryks were not likely to forget such a notice.
They had seen the boat approaching; and, being totally
unsuspicious of what had occurred during the earlier
part of the evening, were anxious to manifest their
good will by carrying the canoe around the rapids.

Jared Long could hardly credit the truth, and held
himself ready for a desperate fight; but, when the
boat was lifted upon the shoulders of a half dozen
stalwart warriors who started down the shore with it,
he smiled grimly and admitted that the Professor was
right.

The load was quite burdensome, but the carriers stepped
off, highly pleased with the privilege, while the
rest of their party straggled after them, the whites
and their servants bringing up the rear.

Bippo and Pedros were not quite able to comprehend
the extraordinary condition of affairs, and kept close
to the heels of their masters like a couple of frightened
dogs.

At the base of the rapids, the Aryks set down the
boat, with great care, saluted in their rude way,
and turning about, disappeared in the forest from
which they had emerged.

“If they only knew,” said Long
when they were drifting down stream once more.

“But they don’t,” replied
the Professor, “and yet they will learn the
truth before long.”

The boat was allowed to drift a half mile further,
when, convinced they had gone far enough, they ran
into land, disembarked and carried it in among the
trees, where it was out of the sight of any one passing
up or down the Xingu. Then they prepared to
await the coming of Fred Ashman, doubtful, however,
whether he ever would come.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE CAVERN OF DIAMONDS.

Fred Ashman was greatly relieved when he had assisted
Ariel down from the high, rocky wall, and they had
picked their way to the spot where the little canoe
had been left but a short time before.

He had felt a singular misgiving from the first about
the boat, fearful that in this region of enchantment,
as it seemed to him, something would cause it to disappear,
and he and his lovely companion be left in a most
exposed and dangerous situation.

But it was found just where it had been left, and
helping her in it, he shoved it clear and then looked
to her for directions as to what was to be the next
step.

The maiden now made a singular statement. She
said that some weeks before, she had visited this
place with no companion but her father. They
landed at a point which she indicated, and he ordered
her to stay on the shore until his return. He
was gone so long, however, that she undertook a little
exploration on her own account, and made a discovery
which she now hoped to turn to account.